The New York State 12 and under, Cal Ripken Baseball Tournament, is in full swing at Bobby Page Memorial Park, at Bell Road in Rome.

Ten teams from across New York State are vying for the New York State Ripken Title and a berth in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament.

Pool play began Thursday evening, following opening ceremonies. The host Roman, were defeated by Clifton Park on Thursday evening, but bounced nicely with a 13-0 win over North Colonie yesterday, to improve to (1-1) in the four game pool play.

Rome’s Johnny Longeretta blasts a 5th inning single.

This morning, Rome took on East Fishkill, also (1-1) in pool play and the offensive juggernaut continued with the gracious hosts coming away with a 10-0 win, in a game that was shortened to five innings by mercy rule.

Logan DeLutis went the distance on the hill for Rome, to earn the shutout win. The 12 year old lefty hurler, struck out seven, walked just one and allowed only two hits in five innings of work, to earn his first win of the tournament.

Rome got rolling early in this one, sending 10 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first inning, scoring 6 runs on 5 hits, to take a quick 6-0 lead, on a stunned East Fishkill club.

Justin Swavely, Logan DeLutis and Anthony Acosta all had singles, while Johnny Longeretta and Jimmy Faso both doubled in the home half of the first, to give the Romans the big lead early in the game.

DeLutis mixed a nasty, breaking pitch with a well spotted, fast ball to keep East Fishkill off balance. DeLutis faced just 12 batters in the first three innings of play.

Rome tacked on two more in the bottom of the third. DeLutis drew a one out walk and quickly stole second base.

Next up was shortstop Griffin Eychner, who doubled to left field, scoring DeLutis and giving the kids clad in orange and black, a 7-0 lead.

Anthony Acosta came through again, with an RBI double of his own, scoring Eychner and putting Rome up 8-0, which put an end to the third inning.

East Fishkill’s Mike Blanchard led off the fourth with a single, but DeLutis picked him off of first base and set down the next two batters in order to end the inning.

Logan DeLutis deals an early strike for Rome.

After Rome failed to plate a run in the bottom of the fourth and East Fishkill went down 1-2-3 in the top of the fifth, Rome ended it with two runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Jake Swavely and Johnny Longeretta cracked back to back singles and DeLutis drew a walk, to load the bases with Romans.

Griffin Eychner stepped in and singled, scoring Swavely, to make it 9-0. Jimmy Faso then laced a one out single, to score Longeretta, giving Rome the 10-0 victory.

After the game, Rome Manager, Jerry Switzer, told MHTS he was proud of his team’s rebound after Thursday night’s loss. “I think it was just nerves against Clifton Park, but the kids have stormed right back and we are in good shape to make the crossovers now.”

Logan DeLutis, the son of Jeff and Julie DeLutis of Rome, told MHTS that it was the curve ball that kept his opponents off balance today, explaining “The curve and the fastball were both working for me, but the curve definitely kept them guessing.” DeLutis is a big Yankees fan, along with his younger brother Evan.

Rome’s Griffin Eychner sails around third for a first inning run.

Rome Catcher, Tyler Samuels, said “It was pretty easy catching DeLutis today. Logan pitched very well. He had good control during the whole game. Having the big lead made it even better.”

Rome will face Niskayuna at 2:45 this afternoon, in the pool play finale.

The top three teams in each of the two pools will advance to crossover play, beginning Sunday morning. The championship game is slated for Monday evening.